We were welcomed by a beautiful fresh breeze this morning...beautifully fresh!
Another wonderful breakfast prepared us for the 1/2 hour bus ride to the church we helped build last May in Subinso. Being welcomed by some of last year's volunteers that aren't working for with us this year was SO special...it really felt like home :) Sammy was one of the men that Joe worked with most of the time last year. He had hernia surgery last October when the Medical team was here, so he was unable to help this year. Our Sam brought him a hard hat to replace the one that broke last year on the jobsite. We were able to meet his wife and son as well. Jonas was there too in his traditional robes. Special to Linda and I was seeing Elvis again...he was 16 when we were here last May, and although small, he amazed us with his hard work and great attitude. Now 17, he is awaiting the opportunity to go to school. I had him speak to Brenda to be sure he understands the process required to qualify for a scholarship...apparently he was too late applying for this coming year. After working in the schools this past week, I was amazed at his ability to understand us and how well he spoke English and engaged in conversation. He certainly has a piece of my heart.
The service was beautiful. The sanctuary was full so the children stood at the doors until they were welcomed to sit on the steps on the platform. They were fun to watch. Singing their doxology, we then sang ours to open the service (Every night before dinner we've been singing it for the pastors to learn ...'Praise God from who all blessings flow...') The drums and dancing then started as they worshiped with Abraham (in the wheelchair) leading, testimonies were shared with words and song, when the offering was taken there was more music and dancing, and then Jacob opened up the sermon introducing Rans as the little bird who's song even the elders listen for. (Rans is quite a bit smaller than Jacob).
Rans shared the story of two ants he watched one day. The ants normally travel in armies yet there two ants were alone. As he watched he noticed that one was not moving well...it appeared he had a hurt leg. The second ant was well, but was watching over the crippled one. The sun was hot, so the healthy ant pushed the crippled one under a leaf into the shade. The story was about how we need to care for each other. When Noah built the ark, it was to save humanity as God ordered him to...he obeyed by availing himself to God's instructions. He compared the new church building to the ark. Sitting right in the middle of Subinso No.1 & Subinso No.2, the church is like an ark to help save the people of the area. People available to help other people...just like the ant did...just as we did by helping fund and build a building they would not have been able to afford for many many years on their own.
The commissioning occurred at the end of the service with representatives of the chief helping cut the ribbon and David annointing the front door with oil. We then mingled with everyone again before meeting under the mango tree where we had lunch every day the year before. Brenda had made her amazing sandwiches and banana muffins for us to have lunch.
Pete and I pulled away from the group for a few minutes to bring a family some gifts from Cassie and Elizabeth who had met last them last year. When we walked up to their house, the parents were laying on the cool concrete of their porch and Malia (the young girl they had spent time with) was just being bathed. I introduced ourselves by saying Malia's name, and they immediately recognized us as friends. Malia looked around and found some pants to put on and her sister put a green dress over her head. Her mother then asked that sister to get a different dress out of the house...a really pretty cream coloured one...obviously her best dress. While they were dressing Malia in front of us, they brought us chairs to sit on. Once Malia was dressed, we showed her and all the kids that gathered around the pictures that Cassie and Elizabeth had printed of them from last year. The older kids immediately recognized them and named Madam Cassie and Madam Elizabeth. It was so amazing :). They hadn't forgotten! We then took pictures, left them their gift and left them a very happy family. Thank you Cassie and Elizabeth for that opportunity.
After lunch we walked down the highway to the creek that runs between Subinso No.1 and Subinso No.2 and Jacob and Peter walked into the waters with Shawn Noble as he was baptized. David's words of instruction, prayers and blessing were words that worked in all our hearts. It was very special.
Coming back to the compound, many of us had a nap and at 5 the teachers met up to review the coming week's plans. Before we ate dinner, David had us gather around to pray for needs shared by us and the young pastors...another beautiful moment. Dinner was fabulous once again.
Rested, inspired and ready for more hard work this coming week, everyone continues to be doing very well! Thank you all!
Kim
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
No comments:
Post a Comment